Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has warned that artificial intelligence must never replace real human communication and said that human voices and faces are sacred and must be protected in the digital age.

In his message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, Pope said modern technology, especially AI, is creating new risks for how people understand truth, identity and relationships. He noted that machines can now imitate human voices, faces and emotions, making it harder to know whether we are interacting with real people or digital systems.

Pope said the greatest danger of AI is not technical but human. He explained that the real challenge is how technology changes the way people think, feel and relate to one another. He warned that depending too much on algorithms can weaken reflection and critical thinking and can distort how reality is perceived.

Pope Leo XIV said human communication should always remain rooted in real encounters between people. He stressed that voices and faces are not just tools for communication but signs of human dignity and uniqueness. When these are copied or manipulated by technology, there is a risk of losing trust and authenticity in public life, media and personal relationships.

He also raised concerns about misinformation and manipulation. Pope said AI can influence opinions and emotions if it is used without moral guidance and proper checks. He called on journalists, media platforms and technology companies to act responsibly and to protect truth and human dignity.

To respond to these challenges, the Pope proposed three main paths. The first is responsibility, asking governments, companies and developers to ensure that AI respects human values. The second is cooperation between educators, institutions and the technology sector to guide the use of digital tools. The third is education, urging schools, families and communities to teach media and AI literacy so people can recognize false content and think critically.

The message is seen as one of the most important Vatican statements on artificial intelligence so far. It places the human person at the center of technological progress and calls for AI to serve people rather than replace them.

Pope Leo XIV concluded by saying that technology should help humanity grow in wisdom and solidarity, not weaken real communication. He urged society to protect what makes people truly human in a world increasingly shaped by machines.